Relinquish(9)

The small café comes into view after I turn the block, the little outside tables already holding a bunch of college kids. A spinning football tossed in the air above the crowd catches my attention as I continue to walk by. My eyes follow the ball, and the hot, blond guy from yesterday catches it. He laughs as if the guy sitting next to him just told him something funny, causing his head to look away from the sky where he was tossing his ball, his piercing eyes landing on me. Shit, don’t make a fool of yourself. I flick my hair over my shoulder and pretend not to notice him as I quicken my pace.

“Hey!” I slightly look over my shoulder, finding the football player jumping over the small fence that holds all the tables within the patio.

“Hey, yourself,” I reply, turning back around and crossing my arms.

“You’re new,” he observes, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I am,” I laugh.

“You off to class or something?” He tilts his head to the side, looking me up and down, a smirk lifting at the corner of his mouth.

“No, looking for a job.” I stick my tongue out in distaste, making him chuckle.

“Well, I’ll see you around…,” he pauses, waiting for me to say my name.

“Charlie,” I add.

“Well, I’ll see you around, Charlie.”

“And what should I call you?” I question, laughing and sounding like a bimbo. I grit my teeth, trying to get a hold of myself.

“Chasen.” He jerks his chin out proudly.

“See you around, Chasen.” I give a little wave before trotting down the sidewalk in looks of a ‘for hire’ sign.

Hours later, I call defeat and head back to the apartment pissed-off. Who knew getting a job in Vegas would be so hard?

Not only are my options limited, but my record doesn’t help, either. I was tried as an adult with my last fight. Some chick who was at the foster home temporarily was in my room, stealing my clothes. When I confronted her about it, she punched me, splitting my eyebrow. I, of course, defended myself, but because she was Aneta’s brown mouse, they called the cops, telling them I started it and threatened the girl’s life. They arrested me right there. The court tried me as an adult and I got probation with community service. It was all bullshit.

“Someone looks pissed-off.” I look over and see Chasen leaning against the fence to the café, staring at me like dessert. “I take it the job hunting didn’t go too well.”

“Wow, you don’t miss a thing,” I sneer, walking past. The idea of flirting is not near as appealing now that starvation and being homeless are a big possibility. I need to take care of Jayden, not just myself. And not getting a job is going the opposite direction of taking care of us.

“Wait up,” he hollers, jumping over the fence.

I slowly turn, my hands on my hips.

“I know a place you can try,” he adds, pulling on his snug jersey which is sticking to his sweaty body.

“Mm, where’s that?” I ask irritated.

“Try the kids’ dentistry three blocks up. My bitch of a sister owns it and said they can’t seem to keep a receptionist.” I can’t help but scowl. Where I come from, you don’t offer things unless you want something in return. I tilt my head, eyeing Chasen, wondering what his angle is.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because, I’m a nice guy.” He shrugs arrogantly, walking back to the café.

“Yeah, I’m sure you are,” I mumble, heading down the road he pointed to.

“Good luck!”

***

“Hello, Charlotte, I’m Mrs. Jennings. Thank you for your interest in our receptionist opening.” Mrs. Jennings leans over the desk, shaking my hand firmly. Her manicured nails grab my attention along with the strong smell of her perfume. Her scrubs with little cartoons fit her toned body snugly, and the way she eyes me with a perfectly waxed, arched brow makes me shift self-consciously. I look down at what I’m wearing: my shirt is damp with sweat, and distressed. The paint on my nails is chipped, the ends jagged from chewing on them. I swallow my insecurities and lift my chin high.

“Thank you, I am very happy to—”

“Look, the truth is I need someone to fill the spot quickly, and you’re the third girl in here today to fill out an application. Get back here at seven in the morning and the job is yours,” she interrupts, using a pen to scratch her head. Her black hair, placed perfectly into a bun, frays from the snag of the pen.

“Really! Thank you so—”

“Not a minute before, and not a minute after. Seven,” she interrupts again, tossing my papers into a drawer. I raise an eyebrow, annoyed with her interrupting me. Working with her should be peachy with her nose that high in the air.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll be here,” I reply, nodding and trying my hardest not to come off like a bitch. But in reality, my hands flex with the urge to grab her perfect hair and slam her head into the desk.

“I hope you’re right. See you in the morning.” She stands, quickly leaving the office.

She’s a bitch, but I can learn to deal with her. I just got a job!

I all but skip out of the dentist’s office, my emotions and mind on cloud f*cking nine! Finally, something is working in mine and Jayden’s favor.